| Preparing for sustainable growth: an SME metamorphosis (2006) | |||||||||||||||
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| This paper describes an action-orientated research project that aims to improve the environmental practices of a small, but growing, Australian furniture manufacturer. It is imperative that these actions will become increasingly important as the company plans to increase its operations throughout Australia and overseas. In response, an action-orientated research methodology is proposed in-order to create an organisational learning framework; intended to position the company as a good corporate citizen. The article reveals how the first phase of the project has strengthened the company's existing environmental policy, the implications of which have led to the development of an early stage of environmental awareness, assessment of environmental aspects and analysis of current 'design for the environment' practices. Phase two of the project is shown to be currently underway and seeks to integrate business and environmental policy. A more integrative policy is explained in the paper to permit an operating framework that is realistic of the demands of an SME organisation but forwardthinking too, in its application as the organisation evolves into a larger corporate entity. The findings of the research to-date are presented, and are supportive of a learning process that aids the development of environmental strategies in expanding SMEs. | |||||||||||||||
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